Shotgun stats say Broncos molding offense specifically for Tebow

For some reason, I get a lot of e-mails, hear some talk show chatter, and get questions from friends that wonder if Broncos bosses John Elway and John Fox are purposely setting up Tim Tebow to fail.

It started with the trade of No. 1 receiver Brandon Lloyd, so the “conspiracy theory” does have a seed, I suppose. But like most conspiracy theories, they have spread to lunancy. Like the Broncos’ offensive game plan for instance. The complaints went from too much conservative play-calling in Tebow’s first start at Miami and not enough conservative passing in his second start against the Lions.

Now for statistical documentation:

The Broncos have been passing from the shotgun 79.7 percent of the time in the past two games with Tebow at quarterback — a whopping 23.4 percent increase from the first five games started by Kyle Orton.

Only the Baltimore Ravens, who have been way behind in each of their past two games, have thrown a higher-percentage of passes from the shotgun (86.2) than the Broncos in that span.

Broncos’ shotgun running plays are also up 15 percent in Tebow’s two starts. Overall, the Broncos have run 16.7 more plays from the shotgun formation in Tebow’s two starts as compared to Orton’s five starts.

Tebow was strictly a shotgun quarterback in college and struggles with the mechanics of dropping back from under center. Fox, who is known as run-oriented head coach to the point his reputation leans towards conservatism, is suddenly Mr. Shotgun. Why? It could be that Fox believes the shotgun gives Tebow the best chance to succeed.